MTGNexus

So, as always, I'm trying to figure out ways to make my EDH/Commander decks work in diverse ways, and a thought occurred to me to try using Merieke Ri Berit while utilizing the 'Swords of'(for these purposes, let's say BaM).

Question is, if I utilize Merieke to steal a creature, equip that creature with BaM or any other such sword in that line, and then untap Merieke, does the trigger kill the creature? I know the whole 'Protection stops DEBT(Damage, Enchantment, Blocking, Targeting)', which thanks to Merieke's wording leaves me unsure. Is the trigger coming from Merieke, and thus targeting, or is it not?

Merieke Ri Berit targets the creature when it activates, but after that, the effect doesn't Damage, Enchant/Equip, Block, or Target again. Thus, as long as the creature didn't have protection to stop the original targeting, gaining protection later won't stop Merieke's effect. You'll continue to control it, and when Merieke untaps or leaves play, the creature will be destroyed.

Specifically to the point: Protection does not stop "destroy" effects.

Well, s***. There goes another otherwise good idea. Thanks again!